Optimizing the Communication with Cancer Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Patient Perspectives

Figures & data

Table 1 Characteristics of Respondents, n (%)

Male	150 (39)
Female	235 (61)
Age, years, mean ± SD	50 ± 15.1
Level of Education
Higher Degrees	32 (8)
University	116 (30)
High School	77 (20)
Intermediate School	31 (8)
Primary School	42 (11)
Less than primary school	66 (17)
Prefer not to answer	21 (5)
Region of Living
Makkah region	320 (83)
Albaha region	15 (4)
Aseer region	15 (4)
Jazan region	13 (4)
Madinah region	8 (2)
Tabuk region	4 (1)
Riyadh region	4 (1)
Others	6 (2)

Note: This table shows the patients’ profile of the 385 surveyed respondents.

Table 2 Clinical Characteristics, n (%)

Primary Tumor Site
Breast	133 (35)
Colorectal	43 (11)
Lymphoma	40 (10)
Leukemia	36 (9)
Gynecologic	35 (9)
Urologic	23 (6)
Gastroesophageal	15 (4)
Unknown	11(3)
Head & neck	9 (2)
Lung	10 (3)
Pancreatic-hepatobiliary	9 (2)
CNS	8 (2)
Sarcoma	8 (2)
Thyroid	5 (1)
Stage
Non-metastatic	232 (60)
Metastatic	153 (40)
Treatment
Chemotherapy	115 (30)
Hormonal therapy	96 (25)
Targeted therapy	50 (11)
Immunotherapy	20 (5)
On follow up only	183 (48)

Note: This table shows the tumor profile, stage and treatment of 385 surveyed respondents, selection of more than one option allowed.

Abbreviation: CNS, central nervous system.

Figure 1 Respondents’ reported preferences of communication methods during the COVID-19 pandemic. This figure shows patients’ responses when asked about their preferred communication methods.

Figure 2 Respondents’ reported preferred use of patient-accessible electronic health records (PAEHRs). This figure shows patients’ responses when asked about preferred use of patient-accessible electronic health records (PAEHRs) to book appointments, request/delivery of drugs, view laboratory tests, view/request medical reports and sick leave.

Table 3 Impact of COVID-19 on Cancer Patients

Respondents	n (%)
My anti-cancer treatments continued	157 (41)
Unable to attend the clinic due to curfew	145 (38)
I was not affected	86 (22)
My doctor advised me not to come	78 (20)
I was worried about catching COVID-19 in the hospital	64 (17)
My anti-cancer treatments stopped or were delayed	41 (11)
Unable to attend due to transportation issues	26 (7)
News and social media have impacted me	21 (5)
I have asked to stop or hold treatment	11 (2)
My family has asked me not to attend	5 (1)
Other	62 (16)

Note: This table shows the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer patients, selection of more than one option allowed.

Figure 3 Respondents’ preferred trusted source of COVID-19 information. This figure shows patients’ responses when asked about their preferred trusted source of information during the COVID-19 pandemic, selection of more than one option allowed. TV = Television.

Figure 4 Respondents’ reported support of digital transformation in cancer care? This Figure shows patients’ responses when asked if they support the notion of digital transformation for caring of cancer patients.